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Gregg Trunnell News

07 Jan 2021

Digital Twins: Rivers, Oceans, Harbors Recreated

(Photo: Seamens’ Church Institute)

In 2001, George Burkley, a maritime educator, wrote a look-ahead article for Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, presenting the benefits and real-world payoffs from using simulators in maritime education. In the late 1990s, new tech and software advances were creating scenario programs that moved a student closer and closer to the realities demanded by, well, reality. “The future is here, and we are ready to simulate it,” Burkley concluded.Burkley is now executive director at the Maritime Pilots Institute in Covington, La.

29 Jun 2010

Vocational Training Options Grow

The full-mission, full-bridge towboat wheelhouse simulator at Kirby’s training center (Photo courtesy Kirby Corp.)

Vocational training options continue to expand since the STCW 1995 rules put a crimp in the hawsepipe. The Pacific Maritime Institute’s (PMI) Workboat Academy has graduated its third class of mates. The State University New York (SUNY) Maritime College has opened a new two-year engineers program. Finally, Kirby’s training school continues to provide company employees with an in-house route to the wheelhouse. “We made the decision in 1995 that we weren’t going to be able to rely on other entities to provide training for our people,” said Patrick Kelly of Kirby Corporation.

24 Jul 2008

First Workboat Academy Cadets Graduate

Gregg Trunnell, Director of the Pacific Maritime Institute and the , announced the graduation of its first class from the Workboat Mate Program. The MITAGS-PMI Workboat Mate Program takes two years to complete, with 25 weeks of shore-based instruction and 52 weeks of onboard training. Upon graduation the trainee receives a Mate 500-1600 Gross Tons license, with Towing Endorsement (if serving on tugs), STCW-95 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, and an Able-Bodied Seaman Limited endorsement. "The quality of our trainees has been impressive and, because there are many more applicants than places on board, the companies get to pick and choose  the best," Trunnell said.

23 Apr 2001

First USCG-Approved ECDIS Course Set

The first U.S. Coast Guard approved ECDIS training course is now being offered at Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute in Seattle, Wash. ECDIS integrates the navigational functions of chart upkeep, voyage planning, route monitoring, traffic management, and computer operation. Everyday, more mariners must plan passages, navigate routes, negotiate traffic, and handle their vessels while making use of ARPA, paper chart plotting, visual piloting, and managing ECDIS. Full-scale, certified ECDIS training, such as this 35-hour course, is the surest way for mariners to confidently integrate the powerful ECDIS tool into the complexities of modern bridge operations, says PNW Director Gregg Trunnell.

01 Jun 2004

MITAGS Security Programs Available

Glen Paine, Executive Director of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), announced the development of specific programs to assist maritime personnel in meeting the new Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code security regulations. Companion seminars have also been developed to provide additional knowledge in specific subject areas. This comprehensive training program is designed for personnel assigned to port, facility, company, or ship security officer responsibilities. The program includes detailed training and instruction in the development of security assessments, plans, and drills.

06 Jul 2004

Room with the View

June 11, 2004 was a very big day for the advancement of maritime training as the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) introduced its full mission simulator in a new 15,000 sq. ft. building in Seattle, Wash. Gregg Trunnell, PMI's director set the tone for the day when he said during dedication remarks, "Oceangoing vessels are not simple pieces of equipment and the days of cabin boys and shanghaied crew members are over. Trunnell also noted that maritime schools are few and far between and often students had to travel to a number of states to get a single certification. "With the opening of this new facility, those days are gone forever for mariners in the Pacific northwest," Trunnell noted.

07 Jul 2004

News

Stolt-Nielsen S.A. appointed Otto H. Fritzner as CEO of Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group (SNTG). Fritzner most recently served as Managing Director, Ship Owning at SNTG. He succeeds James B. Hurlock, who was named Interim CEO of SNTG in July 2003. • SNTG's global operations will be organized into three regions - the Americas, administered from Greenwich, Conn.; Asia-Pacific, administered from Singapore; and Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA), administered from Rotterdam, SNTG's corporate headquarters. • SNTG's Indian Ocean Service and the Europe-to-Asia Pacific Service will be operated out of Rotterdam. I.M. Skaugen ASA announced that Skaugen PetroTrans (SPT), its 50 percent owned joint venture company, has appointed Per Voie as its President.

15 Feb 2001

First USCG Approved ECDIS Training Couse

The first United States Coast Guard approved ECDIS training course will be offered at Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute as of Monday, February 26, 2001 at the Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute (PNW) in Seattle, Washington. ECDIS integrates the navigational functions of chart upkeep, voyage planning, route monitoring, traffic management, and computer operation. Everyday, more mariners must plan passages, navigate routes, negotiate traffic, and handle their vessels while making use of ARPA, paper chart plotting, visual piloting, and managing ECDIS. Full-scale, certified ECDIS training, such as this 35-hour course, is the surest way for mariners to confidently integrate the powerful ECDIS tool into the complexities of modern bridge operations, says PNW Director Gregg Trunnell.

07 Sep 2004

PMI to Hold First Emergency Shiphandling Course

Gregg Trunnell, Director of the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), announced that the Institute’s first Emergency Shiphandling course will take place from October 4th through October 6th in their newly christened Transas Full-Mission Bridge Simulator located at 1729 Alaskan Way South in Seattle, Washington. PMI recently had its Grand Opening, which was attended by various dignitaries from the maritime industry and local government, to christen the 15,000 square-foot facility. The DNV Class A full-mission ship simulator has four secondary bridges for interactive exercises. The new simulator also boasts a combination of state-of-the-art visual technologies, accurate hydrodynamic modeling, and a modern bridge design that offers a highly realistic training environment.

20 Jan 2005

PMI Offers FCC Prep Course for GMDSS

Gregg Trunnell, Director of the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), announced its new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) three-day license preparation course for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) Radio Operators license. The National GMDSS Task Force has recently stated that fishing vessels over 300 tons are considered SOLAS vessels and require GMDSS equipment, however, GMDSS mandated training by STCW is not required. Additionally, the FCC has required that all fishing vessels with designated GMDSS equipment must have at least two individuals onboard with GMDSS licenses when operating in U.S. coastal waters.

24 Mar 2006

PMI's Ton Mate Program to Begin in May

Gregg Trunnell, Director of the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), announced that their U.S. Coast Guard approved 500/1600 Ton Mate Program is scheduled to begin on May 30, 2006. Funding for this program is now available through the Veterans Administration for G.I. Benefits and from SLM Financial Corporation, a "Sallie Mae" Company. "The Mate Program is an innovative two-year training curriculum that is aimed at creating a larger pool of qualified Able-Seamen and Mates for the towing industry. The Program is organized so that every shore-based training phase is reinforced by an onboard training phase. This approach allows trainees to apply their new knowledge and skills on the job," said Gregg Trunnell.

03 Feb 2003

Transas to Provide Systems for PMI

The Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) coast operation of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAG’s), has selected Transas Marine USA to provide the Navigational Simulation systems for their new simulation and training facility to be located in the heart of the Port of Seattle. The 15,000 square foot facility will include a new full mission ship simulator to DNV Class A standards with dual instructor stations, as well as secondary bridges for operating interactive exercises. Boasting a combination of the latest visual technologies, model databases, and a uniquely flexible design, the bridge simulator will provide a highly realistic training environment both inside and outside the wheelhouse.

08 Aug 2001

U.S. ENC Availability Starts to Gain Speed

It is no secret that acceptance and incorporation of electronic charting systems has been more widespread in Europe than in the U.S., as European governments and commercial organizations collectively have worked more diligently together and built and maintained a lead in this area. The gap, however, is closing, as the era of the electronic chart is quickly arriving in the U.S. In a recent Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is considering the feasibility of allowing commercial vessels to use electronic charting and navigation systems as their primary means of navigation in U.S. waters. It would have to meet ECDIS standards as supplied by the IMO.

30 Apr 2003

PCI Introduces New Program

Gregg Trunnell, Executive Director, Pacific Maritime Institute announced "Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch Program" a program that is geared to reducee onboard training time for employees when working in coordination with employers. Upon successful completion of the RFPNW program, seamen will be issued an interim certificate “Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch – Lookout Duties Only.” This will allow the OS or AB to independently stand lookout watches while they complete the required RFPNW assessments. When company sponsored, employees can reduce the sea-time requirement to become a full RFPNW from 6 months to 2 months.